Arthritis and Clutch Lever

[jodytek_imp]

I'm just going to drop this here and get straight to the point. I've search the forums and read many posts trying to find an answer, but not getting very far very fast.

The thing is I am getting older and dealing with the things that brings and arthritis is one of those. The clutch lever on my CB is pretty stiff and with any regular stop and go traffic pain builds on me pretty quick.

Having occasionally stopped in some dealers here or their to admire pretty shiny things, I have noticed that many bikes with cable clutch are often a much softer pull. This past weekend I took a CB650R for a test ride and it was noticeably easier to contend with than my CB1100, (2014 STD - all stock) just in case that matters. The 650R although it's very nice, it's not the ride that I really enjoy, and the bike I have is. I love my bike a lot.

I have adjusted the settings on the clutch level and it was helpful, but not really enough that I don't still wind up at times wondering if the joy that I have in riding isn't being seriously dampened by this pain, and if it could at some point become a hazard or risk. I do put myself in neutral at lights when I can, but again get me at a 4 way stop with moderate traffic and damn if that don't downright hurt.

so there's the back story. Looking at the 2020 age demographic in the poll from the main page, I would think I am probably not alone in this boat.

Here's the question. Has anyone replaced the stock clutch levers with aftermarket ones to resolve this issue, and if so which one's did you go with? Did it Help? Anything you might be able to share about this, I would really appreciate. If there is anyway for me to provide solution and keep my CB I would like to go that route. Sure there are other pretty, shiny two wheelers out there, but my cb1100 is pretty bad ass and I always get looks out riding it.

Alright ya'll, looking forward to your feedback.

Jody
2104 CB1100 STD in Nashville

[17-CB-002]

The 2017 and later CB uses the "slipper" clutch technology which makes the clutch lever very light when squeezing it. I also have arthritis on my left hand and it was very painful when squeezing the clutch lever on my CBX (cable type clutch).
Will try to post the "Slipper" clutch information later - I have to look for it in my archive.
Regards

[tod.branko_imp]

There is a number of ways people lighten up their clutch. I will.save myself from writing it up, instead here is a nice video that explains these things.

https://youtu.be/ydZyFR-iDWc

Hope it helps!

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

[pekingduck]

Just wanted to clarify something first - slipper clutches and rpm-assist clutches are 2 separate functions. The slipper function does not affect clutch lever pressure.
There are bikes with only slipper clutches, while the feature you want - rpm-assist, is on the 2017 EX model, which also has a slipper function. You could have a clutch with just rpm-assist, but it is so easy to add the slipper function (or vice versa).

These 2 innovations are so mechanically and cost effective, they will likely become standard equipment on most bikes.

With rpm-assist, like the CB650R also has, ramps in the clutch help force the clutch plates together, something that only springs could do before. On the 2017 EX, only 3 springs are used, instead of 6 (although the 3 are heavier ones). I believe lever pressure was about 17% lighter

A longer lever will give lighter lever pull, but needs extra travel to engage/disengage. Same thing with a smaller clutch master cylinder bore. There is no real way to cheat physics, except with the rpm-assist in the clutch itself.

Adapting the 2017 EX parts has been tried, but the results were not completed in this thread:
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=12071

I believe it would have worked properly with just the right spacer installed, but I wasn't there.

[Tev62]

A quick and easy win is to change the clutch lever to an adjustable dog leg. It does not change the force required to use the clutch, but it changes the span of the fingers so most of the pull force is with a more closed hand than outstretched fingers, making it more manageable.

This is just an example, no doubt there are NA suppliers of a similar product.

[j3gq_imp]

I am sorry to hear this Jody, I don't have the problem (yet ?), but I feel with you. In particular since I lived in Huntsville, AL for a long time, and I am sure we have been traveling some of the same tarmac.
My 2019 CB's clutch is as light as one can imagine. May be you could trade your older model for a newer 2017 or later model ? If that's not available in the U.S., somebody here on the forum may know whether the 2016 model does already have the easier clutch ?

Other thoughts ? I cannot imagine that the pressure needed to operate the system can be modified. So the clutch lever alone cannot change that (more leverage would have to go alongside with more travel). But if you find a replacement for the whole assembly including the reservoir, that could make a difference. At that is certainly worth a search for aftermarket parts.

A very different thought ? I know that arthritis is not easily cured, but nutrition plays a role. Is it worth talking to a doctor, or ... another doctor. Getting rid of this problem may be more important than fixing the clutch ?

All the best, Jody !!

[Cormanus]

The only two things I can usefully are add are:
[li]Arthritis is a bugger; and[/li] [li]The RPM-assist / slipper clutch was not introduced on the CB1100 until 2017.
[/li]

[VLJ_imp]

"Just get a 2017 CB1100 EX."

Pretty much, the answer to all of life's maladies.

[cj599_imp]

The only thing i can see working is trying to find a master cylinder that has a different size piston bore, or a slave that has a larger piston witch probably does not exist, lighter clutch springs but that will induce clutch slip i bet a person could swap a slipper assembly in though

[pekingduck]

The only thing i can see working is trying to find a master cylinder that has a different size piston bore, or a slave that has a larger piston witch probably does not exist, lighter clutch springs but that will induce clutch slip i bet a person could swap a slipper assembly in though

Altering master cylinder or slave cylinder piston bores give the same effect as longer levers - they decrease effort but at the expense of more lever travel needed.

You would need an externally applied booster - vacuum, hydraulic pump, electric pump or solenoid. But nothing is as simple as an rpm-assist as on the 2017 EX.